Liem (Elo 2,714) accepted the loss, his third consecutive failure so far, after 69 moves. The match against Alsina Leal Daniel (Elo 2,535) was during the 7th round of the event currently taking place in Moscow, Russia.

With a modest 2.5 points, 3 points lower than the leading players, Liem has officially become the former champion although the tour will not conclude for two more rounds.

He was the first ever player to become champion of two consecutive Aeroflot Opens, in 2010 and 2011.

The event is taking place from February 7 – 15, with the cash award for the grade-A winner worth EUR20,000 (US$26,492).

On February 3, Liem finished 7th at the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival in the UK.